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The Effect of Fiscal Rules on Public Investment if Budget Deficits are Politically Motivated

Author

Listed:
  • Robert A.J. Dur

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Ben D. Peletier

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Otto H. Swank

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

Uncertainty about the future preferences of the government may induce policy makers to run excessive budget deficits. As a solution to this problem, economists have proposed to impose a binding debt rule. In this paper we argue that a binding debt rule does not eliminate the distortions due to strategic behaviour of politicians. Rather, strategic manipulation shifts from public debt to public investment. As an alternative, we examine the effects of a capital borrowing rule which permits the government to run a budget deficit equal to the amount of public investment. We show that this rule effectively eliminates strategic behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert A.J. Dur & Ben D. Peletier & Otto H. Swank, 1997. "The Effect of Fiscal Rules on Public Investment if Budget Deficits are Politically Motivated," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 97-125/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:19970125
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    Cited by:

    1. Rui Nuno Baleiras & José da Silva Costa, 2003. "To Be or Not To Be in Office Again: Political Business Cycles with Local Governments," Public Economics 0302009, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Groneck, Max, 2010. "A golden rule of public finance or a fixed deficit regime?: Growth and welfare effects of budget rules," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 523-534, March.
    3. Roberto Fernández Llera, 2016. "Control del endeudamiento autonómico y estabilidad presupuestaria: Evolución y propuestas de futuro," Revista de Estudios Regionales, Universidades Públicas de Andalucía, vol. 1, pages 103-136.
    4. André Fourçans & Thierry Warin, 2007. "Stability and Growth Pact II: Incentives and Moral Hazard," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 51-62.
    5. Groneck, Max, 2008. "A Golden Rule of Public Finance or a Fixed Deficit Regime? Growth and Welfare Effects of Budget Rules," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 08-7, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
    6. Milesi-Ferretti, Gian Maria, 2004. "Good, bad or ugly? On the effects of fiscal rules with creative accounting," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(1-2), pages 377-394, January.
    7. Ozkan, F Gulcin & Ismihan, Mustafa, 2007. "Public investment: a remedy or a curse? Examining the Role of Public Investment for Macroeconomic Performance," CEPR Discussion Papers 6139, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Lutfi Zharku, 2018. "Budget Deficits, Public Debt and Irregular Receipts: Kosovo case," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 14(5), pages 268-285, OCTOBER.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fiscal rules; budget deficits; public investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H61 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Budget; Budget Systems
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus

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